Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation in science and technology.

Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan and the RoK Minister of Education, Science and Technology Lee Ju-Ho signed the MoU at a ceremony in Hanoi on October 29.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister Lee stated that the RoK and Vietnam established diplomatic ties in 1992, and both countries have fully tapped the advantages of their dynamic relationship over the past 20 years with successful cooperation in politics, economics, social affairs and culture.

In 1995, the two countries signed an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation at the governmental level, and have since promoted exchanges and experience sharing among scientists, in addition to conducting research on public projects.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visited the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) early this year hoping to receive RoK support in building a similar institute in Vietnam.

Minister Lee emphasized that the scientific and technological research conducted at the KIST has played an important part in the RoK’s economic development. He said he hopes that Vietnam’s Academy of Science and Technology will also make significant contributions to Vietnam’s future economic growth.

Lee also said he believes that the MoU is the first step towards the success of the transfer of the KIST model and that it will provide the basis for a cooperative partnership and friendship between the two countries in the field of science and technology.

Minister Quan said that Vietnam is inspired by the RoK’s development, especially in science and technology, adding that Vietnam wants to study how the RoK established and developed its advanced science and technology sector. He emphasized that Vietnam wants to learn from the RoK’s experiences and it considers technology a breakthrough solution.

“We would like to establish a comprehensive cooperative relationship between the two ministries in the future, especially in joint research projects related to electronics, materials, and information technology as well as bio-technology”, said Quan.

The Minister confirmed that Vietnam hopes to receive support from the RoK in creating science and technology policies, training human resources and formulating research projects between the two countries.